Probability of self-renewing divisions of spermatogonial stem cells in colonies, formed after fission neutron irradiation.
Repopulating spermatogenic colonies, found in the seminiferous epithelium after irradiation with fast-fission neutrons, were studied to determine the chance that a stem cell Asingle (As) spermatogonium would complete a self-renewing division (P). Mathematical formulas originally derived for such studies in haemopoietic colonies were employed, and a method specifically aimed at spermatogenic colonies was developed. The results showed that during the first division after irradiation, P is close to 1.0. P decreases in later generations, but remains 0.7 or higher up to the 4th or 5th divisions. The mean value for P was over 0.8, which is higher than the value of 0.6-0.7 found for stem cells in haemopoietic colonies.
van Beek
M E
ME
Department of Experimental Radiotherapy, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
Meistrich
M L
ML
de Rooij
D G
DG
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002455:Cell Division; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009502:Neutrons; D011336:Probability; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000166:cytology; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects